Pouring spout container



April 71.942 A. s. HOPKINS 2,280,123

POURING SPOUT CONTAINER Filed Feb. 2'7, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORI ARTHUR G. HOPKINS ATTORNEY April 21, 1942. kmpms 2,280,123

POURING SPOUT CONTAINER Filed Feb. 27, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 55 INVENTQR 38 ARTHUR G. HOPKINS ATTORNEY 1 Patented Apr. 21, .1942

UNITED STATE s PATENT OFFICE Y PoUniNG SPOUT CONTAINER Arthur GJHopkinS, Maspeth, N. Y., assignor to National Can Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application February 27, 1940, Serial No. 320,997

6 Claims.

position lying substantially wholly within the geometrical confines of the dished end and can body, and in its operative position having its pouring mouth extendingfreely from the can body. By means of this construction, the pouring spout when in its inoperative position is out of the way and permits the cans to be stacked and otherwise handled in the usual manner, and when in its operative position permits the con-' tents to be dispensed fromthe can without any part thereof pouring over or flowing on to the canbody. A correlary object of the invention pertains to constructing a pouring spout of this nature for and in combination with can body friction covers 'of the inset dished type.

Further objects of the invention include the provision of a pouring spout for cans which is exceedingly simple in structure and design, the pouring spout fashioned from a single piece of material being revoiubly mounted directly in the container end wall in a suitably shaped integral part thereof; the provision of such a structure in which such end wall part is shaped to cause the spout to move from the confined inoperative position to the freely extending operative position; the provision of a pouring spout of this nature combined with a plug type of closure for the pouring opening, and the further provision of a revoluble pouring spout combined with a plug closure in which the pouring spout and closure invention, the pouring spout being shown in its confined and inoperative position;

Figure 2 is asimilar view thereof in which the pouring spout is shown in its extended operative position;

Figure 3 is an elevational view thereof shown on an enlarged scale with parts shown in section;

Figure 4 is a view of theplug closure used in this construction; v

Figure 5 is a view thereof on an enlarged scale, taken in cross-section in the plane of the line 55 of Figure l and showing an interlocking relation between the spout body and the plug closure; 7 K

Figure 6 is a similar view thereof and showing the manner in which the rotation of the spout body lifts and loosens the plug closure;

Figure 7 is a view of a-modified can structure with partsin section showing the spout structure embodied in the can end opposite to the filling end thereof; a

Figure 8 is a view taken in cross-section of another form of the invention, showing a modified form of plug closure for the spout opening; and

Figure 9 is a top plan view of Figure 8. Referring now more in detail to the drawings and having reference first to Figures 1 to 6 thereolithe pouring spout container of the inventioncomprises a metallic container l0 provided with an end wall ll of dished formation,

the said dished end wall being constructed to embody a pouring spout structure generally designated as l2. The pouring spout structure I2 and the dished end wall H are so designed and constructed that the pouring spout may be rotated from the inoperative position shown in Figare interrelatedso that the plug tendsto hold or look the spout in its confined or inoperative position and preferably so that rotation of the spout to its operative position tends to lift the plug closure to open position.

.To, the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as may hereinafter appear,

the invention further consists in the structural combinations hereinafter sought to be defined in the claims and described more in detail hereinbelowin connection with the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a topplan view of a pouring spout containerembodying the structure of the present ures l and 3 of the drawings, inwhich position it lies substantially wholly within the geometrical confines of the dished end wall H, to the extended position shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, inwhich position the mouth of the spout extends freelyabove and beyond the can body [0.

The dished end wall H in the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 6 of the drawings comprises a friction or plug cover of the inset type consisting of a marginal wall l3 and a depressed bottom wall 14, the marginal wall I 3 terminating in the usual bead IS. The friction or plug cover is received by the annular end wall formation l6 which is double seamed to the can body H1 in the usual way to form the peripheral rim l1. When the spout structure is thus embodied in an inset dished friction cover, it willbe understood that when the spout is moved to its operative position as shown in Figure 2, the mouth, to project freely from the can body, must extend over and beyond both the cover bead l5 and the double seamed marginal rim H.

The dished end wall II is provided with a pouring opening I8, and the material of the depressed bottom wall' 14 thereof is shaped or formed atthis pouring opening I8 to provide means for rotatably receiving the pouring spout l2 and for directing the same into the confining and extending positions when the spout isrotated. This is accomplished in a very simple way by shaping the metal *of the said-wall M at and around the pouring open-ing so as to provide or form a circular cam track l9 bounded by a circular bead 20. The camtrack I9 -(see Figure 3) lies at an angle to the plane of the depressed Wall 4 of the dished end wall, the lowest vpoint of the cam surface being near=the .center .of' the can body and thehighest. point .being. diametrically opposite, as clearly shown. infFig-ure 3. The bead 20 defines the mouth of thepouring opening and the hollow of the bead defines a socket .forrotatably receiving apart .of thespout structure as will be presentlyv described.

The pouring spout I2 is fashioned from asingle sheet of material to provide a neck portion 2| and a mouth portion 22 extending from the neck portion. track VI 9 and is adapted-to ride on this cam track whenthe spout is rotated =between its inopera tive and. operative positions. This is most simply accomplished by the provision of a flange 23 in ..the bottom of-the-neck 2|,- which flange lies on the cam track :l9 andin thehollow .or crimp of the bead 20. Bymeans .of..this.simple construc- .tion, it will beiseen.that whenlthdspout vI 2..is in or. ismoved .to-the inoperative position. shown. in Figures land 3. of the drawings the spout 12 is in a substantially horizontal positionand lies wholly within the geometrical. confines of the dished end l-permitting normal container stack- .ing andthat When-the spout is rotated to the operative position shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, the neckflange 23 rotates in the-bead socket 20 andrides uponthe cam track 1 9 so:that when the spout is-in the-operative Figure 2 position, themouthithereof and particularly the lip '24 thereofextends.freelyabove and-beyond the can bodyparts thislatter is bestv illustrated in Figure '7 of the drawings. Themouth22 "of the spout is concavedly shaped into channel form and the body-edgesmay be-suitably finished into the marginal bead 25.

This interrelation rofrthecan body end wall and which,. spaced from the-spout bead 25,- permit a .coin or other implement to be inserted for lifting the plug closureto open position. Theplug closure is also preferably providedwith a skirt-3!) dependingfromthe. flange 28 at one part'there- .of (see Figures 3 and 4), the bottom edge of this skirt being curved to conform to the channel curvature .of that part -ofthe spout mouth which is engaged by this skirt. By means of this con- The neck portion 2|. overlies the cam the skirt 30 is caused to ride up on the curved wall. of the spout mouth, resulting in the plug closure being lifted towards open position, this being best/shown in Figure 6 of the drawings wherein 'the'spout I2 is shown moved from its inoperative position through an angle of 90 with the. plug shown lifted partly to open condition. To return the plug closure to its sealing or closing position, the spout structure 12 must first be returned toits inoperative or confined position. I InFigure 7 of. the drawings, the invention is 'shown applied to a 'containeror canin'which the inset friction cover'used for filling a can is 10- 'cated'at one end' ofthe can, andin which the other end Wall of the can is dished and embodies the pouring spout structure of the present invention. Thus in'thismodificatiomthe can body If! is provided at one endi'withthe' dishshaped end wall II, which latter extends. across the entire area of the can and is double seamed to the can body to produce the peripheral rim H. This dished end walliand the pouring spout embodied therein otherwise have parts corresponding to those shown in'Figures 1 to 6 of the. drawings, "which parts are indicated by similar. and

primed: reference characters. This Figure '7 ."shOWS how the mouth 22.. and particularly'the lip :24'1'of the pouring spout 12.. extends freely above and beyondthe can parts so that'the fluid contents of the 'can..may be dispensed therefrom without any part of the fluid contents pouring over or flowing onto'the can body. When the fluid contents consist'of asticky liquid such as syrup, it will be seen that the can body may thus be kept free of the liquid and" clean. In this form of construction, the filling of .the can is accomplished'by providing the other end of the can body withtheinset type of friction cover 3|. Thus,'for filling'purposes, one end of the can is used, and for dispensing or discharging purposes, the spout structure at. the other end of the can is used.

In Figures 8 and 9' of the drawings, I show a modified form of spout'structure wherein the plug closure is constructed so as to completely cover the spout body. Otherwise, this modification of Figures 8 and 9 is the same. as that depicted in Figures 1' to 6 of the drawings, and similar parts are designated by similar. reference characters. The plug closure. 32 of .this construction comprises the plug body '33 receivable by the bead 20, the flange 34 which overlies and contacts the rear and part of 'the sides .of the spout bead 25', and a tongue portion 35 extending forwardly of the plug body33 and over the entire area of the spout mouth 22. The sides of the tongue portion 35 may be turned down. as at 36 to cover the sides of the spout mouth 22, and the end of the tongue portion 31. may be turned down. to cover the lip 24 ofthe spout mouth. With this construction the plug closure in mating with the parts of the pouring spout'effectivelyholds or locks'the 'sameagainst rotation.

- The closure is provided'with the upsetportions 38 for prying up purposes, whereby the closure may be liftedto open the pouring opening and t permit the spout to ative position.

The structure and mode of use and the ad vantages of the pouring spout container of the present invention will, in the main, be fully apbe rotated to the operparent from the above detailed description therea described. It will be apparent that changes may be made in the construction without departing from the essence of the invention defined in the following claims. i

I claim: 1. A pouring spout container comprising a con By means of the constructional principles I employed, a pouring spout of exceedingly simple design is produced having the functional features tainer provided with an end wallof dished formation, the said dished end wall consisting of a marginal side wall and a depressed bottom wall,

a pouring opening in saidbottom wall, and a I cam track in said bottom wall around the said pouring opening, said cam track lying above and at an angle. tothe plane of said bottom wall; and,

a spout rotatably mounted on and lying above said depressed bottomwall, said spout having a neck portion which overlies the cam trackand is adapted to ride thereon and having a mouth,

portion extending from said neck portion, the said spout being movable between a position lying Wholly within said dished end to a position where the cam track, the bead defining the mouth of the pouring opening; a spout rotatably mounted on said wall, said spout comprising a neck portion overlying and adapted to ride on the cam track and a mouth portion extending from the neck portion; and a closure for said opening including a plug body engaged by said bead and a part engaging the spout mouth, the said engaging part and the spout mouth mating so that the spout is held thereby against rotation and so that rotation of the spout tends to lift the plug closure.

5. A pouring spout container comprising a container provided with an end wall, a bead formed in said wall defining a pouring opening, a cam track around said head; a spout rotatably mounted on said end wall, said spout comprising a neck portion overlying and adapted to ride on'the cam track-and a mouth portion extending from the neck portion; and a closure for said opening ineluding a plug body engaged by saidbead and "a flange engaging the spout mouth, theflange the said mouth angularlyextends upwardly and outwardly beyond the side wall of said dished end.

2. A pouring spout container comprising a. container provided with an endwall of dishedformation, the said dished endwall consisting of a marginal side Wall and a depressed bottom wall, a pouring opening in said bottom wall, and a circular cam track around the pouring opening pressed up out of the'metal of said bottom wall,

said cam track lying above and at an angle to the plane of saidbottom wall; and a spout roand spout mouth mating so that the spout, is

held thereby against rotation and so that rotation of the spout tends to lift the plug closure.

6. A pouring spout container comprising a container provided with an end wall of dished formation, the said dished end wall consisting of a marginal side wall and a depressed bottom wall,

part of the material of. said bottom wall being shaped to form a circular cam track and a circular bead bounding the cam track, the bead defining the mouth of a pouring opening and the hollow of the bead defining a socket; said cam tatably mounted on and lyingabove said depressed bottom wall, said spout having a neck portion which overlies the cam track and is adapted to ride thereon and having a mouth portion extending from said neck portion, the

said spout being movable between a horizontal position lying wholly within said dished end to an inclined position where the said mouth ex-. tends upwardly and outwardly beyond the side wall of said dished end.

3. In the pouring spout container of claim 1, a closure for the pouring opening comprising a track lying above andat an angle to the planeof said bottom wall; and a spoutrot-atably mounted on and lying above said depressed bottom wall, said spout having a neck portion which overlies the camtrack and is adapted to ride thereon and having a mouth portion extending iromsaid neck portion, the said neck portion having a part which rides on the cam track and rotates in the socket of said head, the said spout being movable between a position lying wholly within said dished end to a position where the said mouth angularly extends upwardly and outwardly, be-

, yond the side wall of said dished end.

ARTHUR ,G. HOPKINS. 

